New Books in Economics Larry Alan Busk, "The Right-Wing Mirror of Critical Theory: Studies of Schmitt, Oakeshott, Hayek, Strauss, and Rand" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023)
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Dec 6, 2024 Larry Alan Busk, a visiting assistant professor and author known for exploring conservative and critical theory intersections, dives deep into the nuances of political philosophy. He discusses how critical theory often mirrors right-wing thought rather than opposing it. The conversation spans the evolution of right-wing ideology, analyzing thinkers like Hayek and Schmitt while questioning beliefs about spontaneous order and rational design. Busk emphasizes the urgent need for critical theory to address modern challenges like climate change, blurring the lines between left and right in today's discourse.
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Bridging Worlds
- Larry Alan Busk's work explores the disconnect between his conservative upbringing and his academic study of critical theory.
- His book examines how right-wing and critical theory inadvertently share similar ideas, despite opposing political goals.
Shared Rejection
- Critical theory and postmodernism share common ground with right-wing discourse in rejecting foundationalism and grand narratives.
- This shared rejection of "intelligent design" in politics raises questions about the core distinctions between left and right.
Right-Wing Identity
- Critiquing "intelligent design" in politics is central to right-wing identity, unifying diverse factions like traditionalists and libertarians.
- The left often overlooks this shared critique, focusing more on diagnosing right-wing populism than engaging with its theoretical underpinnings.
